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Harbour House offers glimpse at early 1900s life

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CRYSTAL FALLS -- The Harbour House Museum in Crystal Falls will open its doors for the 2021 season June 2.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum remained closed the entire 2020 season. "We are excited to finally be able to welcome visitors once again," museum curator Gloria Frederickson said.

The Crystal Falls Museum Society has been busy during the shut down revamping its exhibits.

"We have been adding new, as well as changing out, many pieces in the displays," Frederickson said. "The museum received several mining artifacts, including signage, photographs and clothing, which prompted the new mining room."

Frederickson said while they do make changes, they still try to retain the house's early 20th-century flavor.

"We are looking forward to seeing everything done for the new year," she said. "We want to educate area youth and encourage parents and grandparents to come and share their knowledge with them."

The house was built in 1904 by local mason Fred Floodstrand for the Harbour family. The two-story structure features a unique architectural steamboat-style construction with wrap-around porches on both levels.

After the house went back to the bank in the early 1970s, it had been occupied by several families before local philanthropist Howard Koob purchasing it in 1982. He later signed it over to the society for use as a museum.

The Crystal Falls Harbour House Museum opened to the public in 1984 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites as "The Murphy Home."

The first floor replicates the look of the early 1900s -- a music parlor, library and dining room connect to a grand foyer. A kitchen just off the dining area has its own entrance. All rooms are furnished with items from the era.

The second level features five exhibit rooms -- veterans, sports, children, ladies and mining and logging.

"Because of the current health restrictions, the children's room will not be a hands-on display this year," she said.

The sports room highlights many accomplishments of area athletes, Frederickson added.

The museum, 17 N. Fourth St. in Crystal Falls, will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until Aug. 28. Special tours are available by request.

The museum society has plans to host an open house during Bass Festival weekend.

The museum also has an extensive archive collection, including newspapers from 1887 to the present, plus records of births, obituaries and marriages. Other research material they have accumulated includes phone books that range back to 1916, Evergreen Cemetery burial names with lot and date information, files on local businesses, schools, churches, historical sites and landmarks.

They also have a variety of maps, including of area mines and railroad lines. "We have a railroad map featuring the east half of Iron County available for sale," she said.

One piece Frederickson is desperate to have returned is their 1987 edition of The Diamond Drill. A reward may be involved if it's found, she added.

The archives room, in the lower level of the Crystal Falls City Hall on Superior Avenue, is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

Frederickson also has plans for a new museum fundraiser this summer. "We are going to need a new roof and have to replace the outside railings," she said. "So I though I would clean cemetery grave markers for a donation to the museum."

Frederickson will use a eco-friendly formula that won't harm the stone and also helps preserve it.

She will begin the project in June but start taking requests in May. She isn't limiting the service to the Crystal Falls cemetery, she noted.

Frederickson intends to do another cemetery tour in late summer as well.

The Crystal Falls Museum Society is seeking volunteers to help with many different projects, including individuals to dress up in costume to portray characters for the cemetery tour.

In addition, they welcome any donations, including any materials or photographs for the archives.

For more information on the museum or upcoming fundraisers, to schedule a tour or to make donations, contact Frederickson at 906-875-6219.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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